Archive for February, 2012
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8 Geek Items for the HUNGER GAMES Fan
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
Okay, so yes I said I’d post pics of my writing retreat this week, but…really, this post is so much more necessary. Tomorrow kicks off HUNGER GAMES MONTH (yay the movie!!!), and, of course, I’ve got to do my rabid fangirl part to obsess celebrate. (Also, before I forget–in the completely boring line of business–just an FYI that Google is supposed to be pulling their Google Friend Connect button–that thing over to your right with one hundred-and-fifty-something pictures of happy people and their cats–from all non-blogger sites tomorrow **sniff, sniff, waaaail**, so you might want to consider following this blog via email. Do you see that cute little envelope icon at the top, right edge of this post? That’s the one. Go at it.)
And now on to our post.
Because what book do we adore more than almost any other on the planet???
THE HUNGER GAMES!!!
(Side note: If you don’t love it, then leave now. You’re not allowed to laugh, snort, or guffaw with us today. Also? I cast a shrinking curse upon your underwear drawer.)
And WHAT, my preciouses, do we adore almost just as much as THE HUNGER GAMES?
The rabid fan girls and boys! All drooling and crazy and running around in our their cute little camo, sticking arrows in people and making the Mockingjay sign into our their PB&J pita sandwiches. This post is for us them. The brave rabid souls who need more HUNGER GAMES items to maintain our their rabid geek status. To us thee I bequeath (in order of random awesomeness):
The Hunger Games lightbulb. (via Crushable)
And what better use for said lightbulb than to illuminate your desk as you write lovely emails texts letters to your family back home. Although, too bad this doesn’t come with President Snow stationary. I’d totally use that for my mean official correspondence, like bills and income taxes. (via Crushable)
And ooh, Katniss’ bow! How cool would it be to slink amongst the trees at the mommy-and-me park playdate, looking all Katniss-like, while the other moms talk pedicures and Jershey Shore? BEST. THING. EVER. (via Hot Topic)
Also, single guys? This would be cool on your car’s dashboard. Probably even get you chicks. Hot geek ones. (via Hunger Games Movie)
And if you’re worried girls won’t go for you because your man-beard hasn’t grown in yet. NO. WORRIES. Here’s a cutout of Seneca Crane’s beard! Just trim and paste onto desired scum-stache area. (Make sure to use Gorrilla Glue or cement paste since glue sticks will only give you about an hour’s worth of stickage. Also, duct tape is acceptable.) (via Pinterest)
And if you’re headed to the gym, don’t forget the Hunger Games water bottle. This baby’ll allow you to work out like a District Tribute while imagining Haymitch tossing croissants your way on the treadmill. (via The Mary Sue)
Of course, to go with that fancy dancy water bottle, you’ll need some fancy dancy food. And what could be more enticing than meals based upon the forages of the impoverished district residents. (via Think Geek)
And finally…
Wait for it…
Wait for iiiiiiiiiit…
The HUNGER GAMES snuggie!!! Hahahaha…heck yeah. (via Cafe Press)
Do you love them? If so, please take the Rabid Fan Girl Test so we can be warned to see how dangerous far your rabid fangirl status reaches. And not to brag or anything but…I’ve got movie tickets for HUNGER GAMES’ opening night. Do you?
;0)
“The Hunger But Mainly Death Games” parody (“May the odds let there be toilet paper in the arena”)
Tags: cafe press, Crushable, fan pics, geek items, hot topic, hunger games, hunger games loot, hunger games movie, Katniss, pinterest, rabid fan girls, Suzanne Collins, The Mary Sue, think geek
Posted in Games, Genre Savvy | 21 Comments »
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A Recipe for SERIOUSLY AMAZING (Gluten-free, Cane Sugar-free) Choc Chip Cookies
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
For as often as I post dessert recipes on here, you’d think I have a serious obsession with sweets. CONFESSION: This is only a baby bit true. I love sweets, yes, and even more, I love to bake. However…I love them in small, perfect-moment doses–like when we have company over, or the kids and I are playing tea party (or I’m scared out of my wits watching “The Walking Dead”).
But MOST of the time? I prefer anything protein (nuts or tasty guacamole) rather than the nectar of the gods. I don’t know how it is for the rest of you, but cane sugar does *slightly* weird things to me (such as taking me from relaxed to anxiety-riddled in about ½ hour flat, if I’m not careful), so I’m pretty choosy how often I indulge. And when I can, I prefer to use Agave sweetener in teeny tiny amounts, which seems to absorb slower and, thus, doesn’t jack my emotions up like a hot air balloon in a lightning storm.
Hence, I’ve been appreciating this standby recipe for Double Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies. It happens to be both gluten free and cane sugar free (except for the dark chocolate chips *guilty smirk*), and I’ve been making them every so often over the past few months when my kids want something sweet and I want something chocolate. I’ll even be taking them on my writing retreat this weekend. ;0)
I dare you to try them. The almond flour adds an incredible nutty flavor, and the agave sweetener and grapeseed oil keep the cookies soft. Perfect for reading (or writing) away an afternoon with tea and your latest novel find.
Speaking of which, what is your latest novel find? Will I like it? Do I need it? And how’d you like Jonathan Maberry (yay Wolverine!) on the blog last week? Spiffy guy, yes?
Click here for the goodness: A Recipe for (gluten-free) Double Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies
Oh, and did I mention I’m going on a writing retreat this weekend?!! With my Word DIVAS. Prepare yourself for photos (MWAHAHAHA!). And commentary (*who me?*)… Ahem.
:0)
Tags: agave, almond flour, chocolate recipes, cookie photos, cookie recipes, dessert recipes, desserts, gluten-free, sugar-free, the walking dead, writing retreat
Posted in Reading Recipes | 17 Comments » -
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An Author Interview with Jonathan Maberry
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
I had the pleasure of meeting Jonathan Maberry at the Central Coast Writers’ Conference last year, and within minutes of hearing him speak (he was our Keynote), I knew all I needed to know about the guy. Namely,
- He has a killer sense of humor.
- He writes Wolverine for Marvel Comics.
See? ALL. WE. NEED. TO. KNOW.
Seeing as I’ve recently had the pleasure of reviewing two of Maberry’s books for you, my Preciouses, (Rot & Ruin and Dust & Decay), I figured it was about time to “officially” introduce you to him. Which is why I sent off a note and list of questions last week begging for an interview. A couple of mornings later, I’m minding my own business and checking my email, when I unsuspectingly opened his reply. I promptly choked on the whipped cream in my latte and proceeded to laugh so loud that my husband had to come see what all the hacking and dying animal sounds were about. And then he started to laugh too.
I suspect your reaction will be similar.
As per always, my questions and comments are in white (black if via e-reader or email). Mr. Maberry’s are in green. Enjoy. ;0)
(1) Okay, I assume everyone asks, but I’ve got to go with the flow on this one—what’s your favorite zombie movie of all time?
Maberry: The unrated director’s cut of Zack Snyder’s remake of DAWN OF THE DEAD. Great cast –including Ty Burrell from Modern Family. Terrific production values. Lots of character development and a killer score. Next favorite is SHAUN OF THE DEAD.
SHAWN OF THE DEAD, huh? I *might’ve* screamed out loud while watching that one (although I did love it). Did I mention I’m a weenie when it comes to horror? Ahem.
(2) So you may have heard that I’m something of a zombie survival expert *blushes modestly and holds up Facebook’s Zombie Survival Test* (not to brag or anything, but I got a pretty high score). And, uh…just to compare notes, in the event of a zombie apocalypse, what would YOU grab first? *runs to get notepad and pencil*
Maberry: My first-aid kit, a tool kit, and my katana. Everything else I can find or scrounge. Wait…let me back that up. I’d grab my wife first, then everything else.
First-aid kit…tool ki—wait, what? Er…Facebook didn’t mention anything about grabbing your spouse. *discreetly alters zombie survival plan to include husband*
(3) And for curiosities’ sake, as a zombie expert, who do you think would be more likely to survive a zombie apocalypse: Darth Vader or Edward Cullen?
Maberry: Darth. He has the Force, armor and a lightsaber. You can wade through a whole lotta zombies with a lightsaber. Edward can stand there and brood at the zombies, but Darth would be showing the living dead the real meaning of the ‘dark side’.
*laughs and accidentally snorts whipped cream up my nose* Quick, pull out your katana, I think I hear rabid Twi-girls rioting with glitter bombs.
(4) Alright, alright. Picture this with me: Old, rundown building. 2 am. Five zombies with killer mullets and “moves like Jagger” attack you. What are your chances of survival?
Maberry: I got this. I’ve been practicing and teaching jujutsu for nearly fifty years, I’m really good with a katana (Samurai sword), and I’m roughly the size of a grizzly bear. Five zoms? Yeah, I got this. Now…if it was a bunch of zombie puppies…I’m toast. I lose my mind when I’m around puppies. Go figure.
Okay, seriously. Is there anything this guy CAN’T do? He even loves zombie puppies, for goodness’ sake!
(5) I know it seems a tad indelicate to mention food in a discussion involving zombies and all, but it’s got to be done (it’s blog tradition). What is your hands-down most-loved food?
Maberry: Chocolate. With a side of chocolate. And some chocolate on top of it. And coffee.
(Chocolate. Coffee. Wolverine. I’m this guy’s fan for life.)
(6) Speaking of Wolverine, who do you think would make a better dinner guest—Wolverine or the Punisher?
Maberry: Wolverine. He has a sense of humor. Punisher…not so much. I can relate to anyone with a sense of humor.
Ah, Wolverine. *le sigh*
(7) What was your favorite part about writing the Marvel Universe vs. Wolverine series?
Maberry: Are you kidding? I get to play in my imagination and it’s populated with super heroes. And I get paid for it. I have the best job in the world. I’m professionally required to be an adolescent.
Heheheh… Nice. :0)
(8) So, then, if you could be one superhero, who would it be?
Maberry: Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) of the Fantastic Four. He can stretch –which means I can make myself thinner and taller (though I’m already 6’4”), and he’s a super-genius.
I like it.
(9) Describe your wife in one word.
Maberry: Mystical.
Ooh, intriguing!
(10) So, before we let you go be with said mystical wife, tell us what new projects we can expect from you!
Maberry: My 4th Joe Ledger thriller debuts in April, ASSASSIN’S CODE. A holy war fought with genetically-engineered vampire assassins. Fun stuff. Then in May, V WARS debuts. It’s a shared-world vampire anthology that I cooked up and edited. It features novellas by Nancy Holder, Scott Nicholson, John Everson, Yvonne Navarro, Gregory Frost, Keith DeCandido, and James A. Moore.
The third in my post-apocalyptic zombie series for teens, FLESH & BONE, debuts in September. Plus I have a slew of short stories coming out this year. One just hit stores, “The Death Song of Dwar Guntha”, a John Carter of Mars story in the anthology UNDER THE MOONS OF MARS (in hardcover from Simon & Schuster.)
Yay! *cheers for all the awesome* Thanks so very much for sharing, Jonathan, (and for making us giggle)!
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For more about Jonathan, check out his crazy-awesome bio: Jonathan Maberry is a NY Times bestselling author, multiple Bram Stoker Award winner, and Marvel Comics writer. He’s the author of many novels including Assassin’s Code, Dead of Night, Patient Zero and Rot & Ruin. His nonfiction books on topics ranging from martial arts to zombie pop-culture. Since 1978 he has sold more than 1200 magazine feature articles, 3000 columns, two plays, greeting cards, song lyrics, poetry, and textbooks. Jonathan continues to teach the celebrated Experimental Writing for Teens class, which he created. He founded the Writers Coffeehouse and co-founded The Liars Club; and is a frequent speaker at schools and libraries, as well as a keynote speaker and guest of honor at major writers and genre conferences. Jonathan lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with his wife, Sara and their son, Sam. Visit him online at www.jonathanmaberry.com and on Twitter (@jonathanmaberry) and Facebook.
Tags: Central Coast Writers' Conference, Darth Vader, dust and decay, Edward Cullen, Joe Ledger, Jonathan Maberry, Marvel Comics, photo of jonathan maberry, rabid fan girls, Rot & Ruin, wolverine, zombies
Posted in Author Tidbits | 8 Comments »
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DUST & DECAY by Jonathan Maberry (a book review)
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
Shortly after being crowned one of the elite few who is *MOST* likely to survive a zombie apocalypse (remember that Facebook test I rocked a while back?), I decided that it’d be a good idea to actually read a variety of zombie literature beyond just Mr. Cronin (and, yes, his creepers are more vamps anyway, but…whatever). You know…just to make sure my mad fighting/shooting/awesome-singing skills were really up to par (and also to see if there were any authors who might benefit from my newly-identified zombie survival advice).
Especially seeing as, before discovering this zombie-fighting-intelligence gift I’ve got, I’d never had ANY interest in zombies. Partly due to the whole rotting flesh thing, and partly due to the fact that they’re just so INCESSENTLY WHINY. As if us moms don’t deal with that enough. When I have my zombie apocalypse compound, I’m totally going to have to post a sign that says the exact same thing I tell my kids: “This is not a moaning/whining space. If you want to moan/whine/try to eat my brains, go do it in your own room.” (I predict these signs will be popular and I’m copywriting them as we speak.)
Anyhoo, as you’ll recall, one of the books I’ve enjoyed on this whole zombie enlightenment path is Jonathan Maberry’s YA novel “Rot and Ruin” (which I reviewed for you a few months ago). Not overly gory, not obsessively horrific, the book is zombies and YA and character development done with brilliance. And kind of a gateway zombie drug book, if you will. After reading it, I found myself seduced into thinking—This whole zom thing isn’t so bad; they just want to be loved! And promptly followed it up with indulging in the most terrifying book of my adult life (which I will review for you one of these days because it also was brilliant). It’s even gotten to the point where I can now watch “The Walking Dead” with my husband. (Cringing behind blankets and cramming obscene amounts of sugar-drenched cereal in my face because I eat when I’m stressed still counts as “watching,” right?)
So, it seems fitting that the first zombie book I recommend this year happens to be the second in Mr. Maberry’s “Rot and Ruin” series: “Dust and Decay.” I enjoyed it (almost) as much as the first. Lilah rocks (as always), Benny and Chong are just as funny, and Tom Imura is still a total hottie.
As they head off into the Rot and Ruin in search of civilization (following the path the airplane flew), Tom, Benny, Nix, and Lilah (and accidentally Chong—poor Chong) come face to face with their deepest fears. And I’m not talking zombies (which is odd since you’d think dead people craving your flesh would be the most horrifying aspect to a person’s world). Their fears come in the form of their pasts—people, violence, memories, loss, internal demons—being carried into their futures—Gameland, death, love, and vulnerability. Combine that with just enough twists to keep me surprised and like “What the kraken?” at certain points, and sad at others as I felt the loss with this little band of tested friends. Oh, and I loved that the underlying themes developed so well in “Rot and Ruin” of love, family, friendships, and valuing human life are in there, working beneath the skin, pulling the reader into caring about the zombies, the harsh landscapes, and the broken individuals as they struggle through pain and, at times, anger in their quest for hope.
If “Rot and Ruin” was a coming-of-age novel, then “Dust and Decay” is a coming-of-relationship novel.
And it’s so good.
So, there you have it, Preciouses. Run off and read it. Or have you already? (Or any other zombie/apocalypse/scare-your-pants off books that we should know about?)
Tags: benny imura, Book Reviews, dust and decay, Facebook, Jonathan Maberry, rot and ruin, surviving zombies, the lost girl, the walking dead, tom imura, YA books, zombies
Posted in Book Reviews | 13 Comments » -
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8 Literary Tattoos That Make My Heart Sigh
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
Last week we looked at three literary tattoos that my children thought were wonderful, AND I was delighted to find out so many of YOU have tattoos!
I also promised to give you my own list of personal favorites.
So, here they are along with the books that inspired them. I heart these more than I can say….
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien–the words at the base of her neck are elvish for “dream” (from TattooLit)
We wants it, Preciouses.
“I shall not live in vain” by Emily Dickinson (from Contrariwise & Pinterest)
An incredible poem. A dainty tattoo.
“Radiant as the sun” from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (from College Candy)
So simple. So lovely. So powerful.
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (from DeviantArt & Pinterest)
I’ve seen one like this with glow-in-the-dark ink. Awesome, no?
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (from Miyazaki: A Beautiful Mind)
My dearest, gorgeous, perfect Howl… *girly sigh*
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis (from Tumblr)
I want to tattoo this on my children…
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling (from Pinterest)
Um, seriously how adorable is that?
“And days went by like paper in the wind” (from Pinterest)
Okay, so this last one might be from Tom Petty, but still…fabulous, yes? Methinks I need the dress to go with it.
Well? What do you think, Preciouses? They are quite fancy dancy, yes???
Tags: book tattoos, c.s. lewis, emily dickinson, Harry Potter, Howls Moving Castle, hunger games, j.r.r. tolkien, literary tattoos, pinterest, tom petty, tumblr
Posted in Games, Genre Savvy, Uncategorized | 18 Comments » -
